Page 47 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

He deftly unbuttoned her jeans, his fingers tracing the waistband of her panties before slowly pushing the denim down her thighs. His breath hitched as he revealed more of her, his heart pounding in his chest like a primal drum. She stepped out of her jeans, and her breaths came in short gasps as he slid his hands back up her legs, his fingertips lightly tracing her soft skin.

“So responsive,” he murmured. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her shoulder, his tongue darting out to taste her. Her body responded to his touch with a shiver. He took his time exploring every inch of her back, her sides, his hands cupping her breasts, his thumbs circling her nipples until they were hard peaks and she was moaning again.

He glanced up, noticing the freestanding mirror in the corner of her bedroom, and he grinned. Perfect. “Don’t move.” He quickly shed his pants and boxer briefs, then stepped back behind her. “Stand in front of the mirror.”

She tilted her head back and looked up at him. “Why?”

“Because I’m going to show you how beautiful you are when your eyes are filled with desire and your body is trembling from my touch.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and walked her forward until she stood in front of the mirror. His eyes met hers in the reflection, and in hers was anticipation. He stood behind her, his body pressed against hers, his hands now resting lightly on her hips. Her breath hitched as he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Watch.”

His hands began to move, slowly tracing the curve of her waist, the flare of her hips. His fingers splayed wide, possessive, as they slid up her rib cage, stopping just beneath her breasts. Her breath quickened, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

“I love how responsive you are, how your body’s flushed with desire,” he said, his mouth next to her ear.

He moved his hands up, cupping her breasts, his thumbs brushing against her nipples. He stepped closer, his body pressing against hers, letting her feel how aroused he was, how much he wanted her. Her eyes fluttered closed, a soft moan escaping.

“Watch yourself come for me, Matti.”

She opened her eyes, her gaze following his hand as he trailed it down her stomach. She squirmed, trying to encourage him to go lower. He smiled against her neck, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin.

“Patience,” he murmured, his hand moving back up to her breast, teasing her nipple again. She whimpered, her body trembling with need. He loved seeing her like this, desperate and wanting.

“Please.”

“Hmm? Please what, beautiful? Tell me what you want.” He danced his fingers down her stomach, then on down and cupped her sex. “This?”

Her head fell back against his shoulder. “Yes,” she breathed out, her voice barely a whisper. She closed her eyes.

As much as he wanted to continue this game, he was close to losing control. He scooped her up and carried her to the bed. “Let’s make tonight amazing,” he said as he covered her body with his.

* * *

Ryan opened his eyes the next morning in a bedroom that wasn’t his. It took a moment to orient himself and remember where he was. He smiled when his gaze fell on the sleeping woman next to him. She was on her stomach with her face turned toward him. The hours he’d spent loving her had been amazing. He wanted her again and was sure she wasn’t a passing fancy.

He hadn’t been looking for a woman to be a part of his life, but he thought he’d found one anyway. He wanted more, and although that was a surprise, he didn’t want to fight his growing feelings for her.

As tempted as he was to kiss her awake, to start the morning buried deep inside her, he didn’t. They’d spent most of the night making love, and she had to be exhausted. For whatever reason, he wasn’t. He felt invigorated, excited to start the day. Everything felt different, full of promises, a future he hadn’t seen coming but was ready to embrace.

He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes, smiled when she let out a soft snore. Careful not to shake the bed, he eased off the mattress. It was early still, and after dressing in a pair of shorts and T-shirt he’d brought, he made his way to the kitchen.

After an inventory of the contents of Matti’s pantry and refrigerator, he settled on breakfast burritos. The sausage was browned and the sliced onions were caramelizing when Matti padded into the kitchen.

“Morning, sunshine.” She scowled, which had him grinning. “Not a morning person?” He poured a cup of coffee and set it on the counter next to the cream and sugar. She blinked several times as if testing to see if her eyelids were working yet. That had him grinning, too.

“And she’s one of those who doesn’t talk in the mornings.” He laughed when she wrinkled her nose at him. She was adorable.

He watched how much cream and sugar she added to her coffee so he’d know how to make it for her the way she liked, and whoa. Have some coffee with your cream, sunshine. Because morning Matti was adorable in her grouchiness and because he wanted to, he stepped in front of her, put his finger under her chin to lift her face, and kissed her.

“And that’s the perfect way to start the day,” he said. “Have a seat and enjoy your cream… I mean your coffee while I finish breakfast.” He winked.

She still wasn’t talking, just stared at him as if he were some alien being she found in her kitchen. He poured the eggs and hash browns into the frying pan, humming as he stirred.

“Are you this cheerful every morning?”

He glanced at her over his shoulder. “Mornings are great. A new day, new possibilities. A fresh start. What’s not to be cheerful about that?”

She just grunted.